There are several ways to participate in elections in North Carolina, including One-Stop Early Voting, Election Day Voting, and Absentee Voting. Explore the options below to find the voting method that works best for you.

Not sure if you are registered to vote or where you are registered? You can check your voter registration status online.

2026 Election Dates to Know

October 9, 2026, at 5 p.m.
North Carolina Voter Registration Deadline
Register to vote by this deadline if you plan to vote on Election Day or request an absentee ballot in North Carolina.

October 15–31, 2026
One-Stop Early Voting
One-Stop Early Voting begins Thursday, October 15, and continues through Saturday, October 31, at 3 p.m. ET. During this period, you can register to vote or update your registration and vote during the same visit at any One-Stop Early Voting location in Forsyth County. Early voting locations will be announced at a later date.

October 20, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
This is the deadline to request an absentee ballot in North Carolina. Students who are registered to vote in another state should check with their local election office for absentee voting requirements and deadlines.

Choose Your Voting Method

Learn more about One-Stop Early Voting, Election Day Voting, and Absentee Voting below, including registration requirements, important deadlines, voter ID information, and what to expect when you vote.

Whether you are voting for the first time or have participated in elections before, we are here to help you feel prepared to make your voice heard.

Early Voting Dates & Times

Completing Your Voter Registration Form

Students who live on campus and are registering to vote or updating their registration in Forsyth County will need to provide two addresses: their residential address and their mailing address.

Students who live off campus - in Non-WFU housing and receive mail at their residential address - should list their local NC mailing address.

Proof of Residency

If you register to vote or update your voter registration during One-Stop Early Voting, you will need to provide proof of your current North Carolina residence.

Whether you live on or off campus, we can help you prepare. Bring a physical copy of your proof of residency with you when you go to vote.

Moving to a new residence? If you have moved since you last registered to vote, including moving to a different residence hall, apartment, or off-campus address, you will need to update your voter registration.

If you decide to register in your home state, you will need to request an absentee ballot.  

Absentee voting rules and deadlines vary by state and county. If you are registered to vote outside of North Carolina, contact your local election office for information about requesting and returning an absentee ballot in your state.

Voting Absentee in North Carolina

If you are registered to vote in North Carolina, Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET is the deadline to request an absentee ballot. We encourage you to request your ballot as early as possible to allow enough time to receive, complete, and return it before the deadline.

When returning an absentee ballot in North Carolina, you must either:

• Include a photocopy of an acceptable photo ID with your ballot; or
• Complete a Photo ID Exception Form.

The photocopy of your ID or Photo ID Exception Form is placed in the designated pocket on the outside of the ballot container envelope. The ballot container envelope is then placed inside the outer return envelope to help protect the privacy of your ballot.

Students can get their DeaconOne Card or NC Driver's License scanned at no cost at the Benson Copy Center (Benson 334) or Office of Civic & Community Engagement (Benson 506).

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

On Election Day, you must vote at your assigned polling location. You can find your polling location on your Voter Registration Card, which will be delivered to your P.O. Box before the election, or look up your polling location online through the Forsyth County Board of Elections.

Important for students on Reynolda Campus: The campus is divided into two voting precincts, so your assigned polling location may be different from another student’s. Be sure to check your polling location before Election Day, so you know where to go to cast your ballot.

• If you receive a higher education financial aid program from your home state, check the program’s residency requirements before changing your voter registration. Please visit the Financial Aid Website for more information about your financial aid and residency requirements.
• North Carolina voters are required to show an acceptable photo ID when voting in person. Wake Forest students can use their Deacon OneCard as an acceptable photo ID through December 31, 2026. Students with a North Carolina driver’s license can also use their driver’s license.
• North Carolina law prohibits voters from taking photos or videos of their completed ballot. Celebrate your first time voting by taking a photo with your “I Voted” sticker instead!
• You can still vote in person as long as you have not returned your absentee ballot. If you need to register or update your registration, we recommend voting during the early voting period.
  • If you requested an absentee ballot from another state, check with your state or local election office for information about voting in person after requesting a mail-in ballot.
• If you are in line at your polling place when it closes, you have the right to vote. If anyone tells you otherwise, do not leave your spot in line and call the North Carolina Election Protection Hotline at 888-687-8683.